Superintendent’s Report

May 23, 2022

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Eric J. Becoats, Ed.D.

Agenda

• COVID Update
• Celebrating Success
• Special Thanks
• Student Highlights
• Announcements

COVID Update

COVID Data Tracking

COVID Data Tracking

WPSD COVID Case Tracking

https://www.williampennsd.org/covid-19-guidance

Masks are optional in WPSD

• Wearing masks is optional in District buildings; but strongly encouraged
• Masks are no longer required on school buses, but strongly encouraged.
• Board reserves the right to

reinstate the mandate if

positive cases rise in the

District or in Delaware County.

Celebrating Success

Congratulations!

The Penn Wood High School Top Ten Academically-Ranked Students were Announced

#1- Mikhaidia Miller #6- Aiyana Perkins-Reid

#2- Sharon Oladeji #7- Katelyn Tong

#3- Jessica Le #8- Trinity Crosson

#4- Tiffany Kim #9- Micah Baptiste

#5- Julia Bowden #10- Mark Kakari

Congratulations!

Tazyr Campbell

Rotary Club of Upper Darby and Lansdowne

April 2022 Student of the Month and

2021-22 Student of the Year

• National Honor Society
• National Art Honor Society Secretary
• Distinguished Honor Roll
• Volunteers for Toys for Tots and Cradles to Crayons Programs
• Plans to study Engineering and Architecture at Thomas Jefferson University
• Received $1,500 Scholarship from the Rotary Club

Congratulations!

Aldan Elementary School

Won 2nd Place in the Delaware County Reading Olympics

• Aldan and Colwyn Schools participated for the first time
• Purpose of event is to increase the quality and quantity of books students read for enjoyment
• Teams of students collaborated to read 40-50 books that were selected by a regional committee

• Teams were led by Dr. Heidi Quarracino at Aldan and Ms. Donna Rossi at Colwyn

Congratulations!

Nhaomi Lartey, Junior

Ms. Ava Alexander, Teacher

2022 Bezos Scholars

Bezos Scholars is a competitive year-long leadership development program that will begin with an all-expenses- paid week in Aspen Colorado. They will participate in panel discussions and workshops with international leaders.

• One of only 300 schools across the country to receive a grant
• The Laura Bush Foundation supports school libraries with the greatest needs with the goal of encouraging all students to develop a love f reading and learning.
• Most libraries use the funds to update and diversify their collections.

Congratulations!

Ardmore Avenue Elementary School

Received a $5,000 Library Grant from the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries

• Volunteer team of Penn Wood students and advisors reported on the school funding trial in a weekly podcast of 26 episodes.
• Jacob McCann (PW 2015 grad), Ms. Susan Norton (teacher), and students Lisa Asamoah, Trinity Giddings, and Paul Vandy.

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Congratulations!

PENNding Funds Podcast Team

Recognized as Advocates of the Year by

Children First

• The team built a prototype bus stop with a sustainable heating system, using a $600 stipend awarded for the project

Congratulations!

Penn Wood High School STEM Team Received Honorable Mention in the 2021-22 Governor’s State STEM Competition

Team mentors are community member Mr. Tim Harris, and teachers Ms. Sue Norton and Mr. Benny Joseph. Team expediter is Assistant Principal Mr. Jim Corkery

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Special Thanks

Special thanks to…

State Rep. Joanna McClinton for her visit to Walnut Street Elementary School as part of the school’s Speaker Series

Special thanks to…

Julia Bowden and Mark Kakari, Penn Wood High School seniors, for representing the WPSD at the Delaware County Student Forum

Students led presentations in the focus areas of Artivism, Race and Culture, LGBTQ+, Mental Health, and Climate Change

Special thanks to…

Children First, 60 Superintendents from across Pennsylvania, and Fair Funding Advocate Organizations.

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Superintendents signed a letter of support formed by Children First to request Governor Wolf and the State Legislature to increase the Level Up supplement to $300 million in addition to a significant increase in Basic Education Funding.

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Representatives from Children First plan to travel to Harrisburg on Tuesday, May 24th to deliver the letter.

Special thanks to…

And the generous people who donate through DonorsChoose.org to help fund classroom projects for public school teachers and students.

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During Teacher Appreciation Week, $3,517 went towards classroom materials for five WPSD projects.

Student Highlights

ALDAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Maryam Mohamed

Fourth Grade

• Hard worker who strives to be successful
• Made tremendous progress in math this year
• Kind, considerate, and respectful to others

ARDMORE AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Jenielle Gbahn

Fifth Grade

• Consistently exceeds expectations in citizenship and academics
• Is a role model and team leader who is kind and compassionate
• Math Diagnostic Assessment score exceeded the national average, placing her in the 99th percentile overall

BELL AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Mallory Branson

Kindergarten

• A wonderful student and great leader in the classroom
• Is a hard worker
• Always kind and helpful to her classmates

COLWYN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Cody Pitt

Sixth Grade

• Has a unique ability to work with others across all academic levels
• Is trustworthy and responsible
• Is hardworking and a great student

EAST LANSDOWNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Nakayla Le

Sixth Grade

• Shows outstanding effort and perseverance in all subject areas
• Kind to classmates and offers support
• Takes on a leadership role during group work and helps maintain focus

EVANS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Jimeniyah Sidener

Fifth Grade

• Cooperative, well-behaved and has an extremely positive attitude
• Collaborates well with classmates and is a diligent worker
• Flawless attendance record - no absences or latenesses

PARK LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Gabe Gayee

Fifth Grade

• Selfless, caring, hardworking, and responsible
• A good friend who offers a helping hand to any student or teacher in need
• Assists with the celebrations for students who reach their Lexia and Dreambox academic goals

WALNUT STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Ma’Kayla Collins

Third Grade

• Demonstrates excellence in citizenship and academics
• Enjoys learning and strives to do her best work
• Has a positive attitude and is a good friend and role model to peers

PENN WOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Coffee shop run by the Life Skills and Autistic Support classrooms
• Each student is assigned a job
• Offers an opportunity for students to work toward their understanding of money concepts and build communication and other marketable skills

Penn Wood Brew

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PENN WOOD HIGH - CYPRESS STREET

Emmanuel Sando

Ninth Grade

• Diligent student who completes all assignments and checks in with teachers to inquire about the quality of his work
• Nominated three times for the Patriot of the Month Award
• Encourages students to be productive in class and offers to assist when needed

PENN WOOD HIGH - GREEN AVENUE

Kevin Carroll

Twelfth Grade

• Excellent student; overcame adversity to become an honor student
• Respectful and kind to everyone
• Nominated by teachers four times for the Patriot of the Month Award; he won twice
• Going to Temple University in the Fall

Personalized Learning Community

Carter Jackson

Second Grade

• Eager learner who enjoys participating in class
• Remains an outstanding student - a Top Scholar - despite adversity he has faced this school year
• Edgenuity grades are Math-99, Social Studies-100, ELA-84, Music-100

Announcements

Black Lives Matter Mural Community Project

Community Members are Invited to Paint!

June 13-17, 2022

Penn Wood High School

Green Avenue Campus